from the national oceanic and atmospheric administration. 2012 was the hottest year on record in the lower 48 states. with an average temperature at 55.3 degrees. now that shattered the previous record set in 1998 by a full degree while the majority of the country saw above average temperatures including las vegas and boise, cities like los angeles and seattle saw below average readings. 2012 was the second worst year for extreme weather events. human activity especially the burning of fossil fuels is contributing to changes in the u.s. climate. >>> today, the debate over what to do over gun violence continues in washington with the launch of vice president's biden's task force. yesterday, gabrielle giffords marked the two-year anniversary of the shooting which she narrowly survived by joining the call for more action. nbc's tracie potts joins us live with the details. tracie, good morning. >> reporter: richard, good morning. congresswoman giffords marking the occasion with a push for gun safety. she's going around the country saying we need to take a closer look at the laws on the b